Happy New Year! • It looks like the Yankees may be trying to make room for Roger Clemens. And it may make sense if you think about it. Jon Heymann makes several points in his latest review of the Clemens’ saga, but one line sticks out: “The word going around is that while Clemens loved […]
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If most of the wheeling, dealing, signing and wooing is done, indeed, we are going to see a lot of familiar names on the Astros’ Spring Training — and perhaps opening day — roster. At this point, there are 22 players who seem to have a reasonably solid place. Names on that list that could […]
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There seems to be a lot of Astros’ fans from around the country. On your next post, would you include the city and state you are from? Thanks! The off season just got a lot crazier with Barry Zito signing for 7 years, $126 million and an option for another $18 million. That should establish […]
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Happy Holidays! Here are a few thoughts along with a few questions for the holidays as we inch closer to New Year’s. The days are counting down and we are just weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Kissimmee. Expect a few more additions to the Astros’ roster between now and then, if only […]
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Friends, let’s be straight, I don’t know how to look at the Astros’ catching situation. The Astros said early on this off-season that they were targeting an upgrade. Since then, several catchers have changed teams or re-signed with their old teams. Every type of catcher – starter, backup, platoon option – has been out there, […]
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The outfield is perhaps the most intriguing area on the team for 2007. There are perhaps more question marks and potential pitfalls here than in any other area involving multiple players. At least on the infield, you’re pretty sure of what you have in players like Adam Everett, Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio. (Thanks again […]
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Note: This blog has passed the 5,000-comment mark with this particular entry. Congrats and thanks to you for your prolific and continued support. Let’s move on to the infield. For some of you, that means get out the “Trade Morgan Now!” banners. Or perhaps you’d prefer to tackle the Biggio situation. Whatever direction you head, […]
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During the next few days, we’ll examine the question: Are the Astros better today than they were at the end of the 2006 season? We’ll touch on every facet of the team in the coming days, but today, let’s try to stay on topic and focus on the starting rotation. 2006: Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Hirsh, […]
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This just in: RotoAuthority, a fantasy baseball site, projects Jason Jennings’ numbers as an Astro. The source says count on Jennings for 12 wins and a 4.47 ERA. Check out the complete Jason Jennings projections. In an email to me, Tim Dierkes of RotoAuthority wrote: “I am sticking with 12…13 wouldn’t be a huge stretch.” […]
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It’s all a matter of perspective I suppose! I thought I was reading your comments at first. Then I looked up and realized Rockies’ fans were lamenting the Jason Jennings trade with similar comments to those appearing here. Here’s a taste of their comments in the Rocky Mountain News. Some are quite entertaining: • “Thank […]
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Non-tender update: Clubs have until midnight tonight to offer a contract to eligible players. • The contract must be for at least 80% of what the player made in 2006. In other words, they can’t offer more than 20% reduction in salary; most player will actually get a raise. Once they are non-tendered, though, they […]
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For the last few years I’ve been in charge of finding award presenters for the annual Houston Baseball Dinner. Richard Justice, the official Houston chapter chairman of the Baseball Writers Association of America, assigns me the responsibility of finding the presenters for the local BBWAA awards. Because our BBWAA chapter is one of the smallest […]
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And now says he was “shocked” the Astros didn’t bring him back. Meanwhile, his dad called the Astros non-move a “slap in the face.” The Orioles apparently made a late rush to sign Pettitte…to the tune of 4 years, $66 million. Somehow I thought I would wake up Saturday and it would all have been […]
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